Flying-machine.



J. C. CRITCHETT.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. II, 1918.

Patented Fb.18,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

- J. C. CFHTCHETT.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1:. 191a.

Patentd. Feb 18 1919 JAMES c. GRITCHETT, or EL rAso, TEXAS.

FLYINGMAGH1NE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

Application filed March 11, 1918. Serial No. 221,827.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. CRITCHETT,

7 a citizen of the United States, residing at El Paso, in the county of El Paso and State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art. to which it appertains to make and use the same;

The present invention relates to improve ments in flying machines, and has for an ob-' ject to provide an improved flying machine having a framework built up in the shape of one or a plurality of tetrahedral figures, whereby a relatively small flying machine may be constructed in the form of a single tetrahedron, While larger machines may be produced by enlarging upon the smaller framework without alteration. By this means the tetrahedron forms a standardized unit for flying machines of small or large size, and the work of constructing and assembling the parts is simplified and rendered expeditious.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing a'flying machine with a framework in which the component members are united after the fashion of a tetrahedral figure, thereby securing great strength with little strain on the individual members of the framework, enabling the use of inferior material to that necessary for the present construction of aeroplanes, and eliminating the'necessity for that care,- ful selection of material that is at present practised.

A further object of the present invention resides in providing a flying machine which will combine great strength with lightness, and have increased carrying capacity.

It is a further object of the present inven-. tion to provide a flying machine in which the framework will afford one or more convenient and strong locations for fuselage, platforms, power plants, etc.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis application, and in which similar reference symbols indicate corresponding parts inthe several news:

, Figure 11s a side elevational v1ew of'one form of flying machine constructed in accordance with my present invention.

- running parallel with the tie-rod 9.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View thereof. Fig. 3 is a topplan view of the flying machine; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a fragment of the machine framework.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings is shown a flying machine, the framework whereof is constructed in the shape of three tetrahedral figures located side by side and having parts thereof in common.

Referring in detail to the construction, 1 designates the lower edge member of the central portion of the framework; while 2 and 3 represent the edge members of the tetrahedral portions of the lateral parts of the framework. At 4 and 5, in Fig. 3, are shown the forward edge members which connectwith the frontend of the lower edge member 1 at 6, and which diverge and extend upwardly and at an inclination rearwardly. Similar rear edge members 7 and 8 are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to be coupled to the rear end of the lower edge member 1, and diverge upwardly and extend forwardly.

The frontedge members 4 and 5 and the rear edge members 7 and 8 of the central portion of the tetrahedral framework do not merge upwardly into a single edge member, but the top prism of the tetra hedron is truncated, 'as indicated in Fig. l, and the front edge members 4: and 5 are joined together by a horizontally extending tie-rod 9; while the upper ends of the rear edge members 7 and 8 are similarly connected by a horizontal tie-rod 10 The left ends of the tie-rods 9 and 10, in Fig. 3, together with the upper ends of the front edge member i and rear edge member 7 are connected to another horizontal tie-rod 11. At 12 is shown a tie-rod parallel to the tie-rod 11, and serving to join the righthand ends of the tie-rods 9 and 10 and the upper ends of the front edge member 5 and rear edge member 8. These several tie-rods 9, 10. 11 and 12 provide a horizontal frame forming the upper end of the central tetrahedral part of the machine framework.

A series of struts 13 are connected between separated and preferably equidistant points 14 and 15 along the forward edge member 4 and horizontal tie-rod 9; and a similar series of struts 16 are coupled between the p-oints'l5 along the horizontal tie-rod 9 and separated and preferably equidistant points 17 on the forward edge member 5. The'construction is such that the struts 13' and 16 will intersect in the manner shown.

In a similar way, there are series of struts 18 and 19 connected between points along the rear edge members 7 and 8 and the horizontal tie-rod 10, as will. be clear from Figs. 2 and 3. 1 Similarly, the other faces of the tetrahedral central framework comprised between the edge members 1, 4 and 7, and 1, 5 and 8, are supplied with struts in a like order and arrangement. The lateral portions of the framework are imilarly built up in tetrahedral formation, 20 and 21indicating forward edge members at the left part of the machine, and 22 and 23 rear edge members, all of which are connected at their lower ends to the lower edge member 2. The upper ends of these edge members 20, 21, and 22, 23, are connected by projections of the horizontally extending tie-rods 9 and 10.

' At theopposite side of the framework the forward edge members are represented at r 24 and 25, and the rear edge members at 26 and 27, all of which are joined to the lower edge member .3. Similar extensions of the tie-rods 9 and 10 serve to connect the upper ends of such edge members 24, 25, and 26, 27.

The upper ends of the forward edge members 21 and 24, and the for *ard ends of the" rear edge members 23 and 26, are connected together by a horizontal tie-rod 28 which forms a common part of the two lateral tetrahedral frames, and in which these frames 29 and 30 represent tie-rods that 25 and 27, and which form with the common tie-rod 28 and the projections of the rods 9 an'd'lO, horizontal frames forming the upper part of the combined framework. i

Lying in that face of the left lateral tween the edge members 20 and 21 and the projection of the tie-rod 9, are two series of struts 31 and 32, which are connected in a manner similar to the strutsas ab'ove de-.

scribed. 7 Struts '33 and 34 of a'similar character,

he in the face comprised between the rear edge members 22 and 23 and the projection of thetie-rod 10. I b

At the right side of the frame there are similar struts 35, 36 and 37 38.

Having reference now to the side. elevational view shown in Fig. 1, which shows the face ofthe right portion of the framework comprised between the edgemembers 3, 25 and 27 and the upper horizontal tie-rod 30, 39 and 40 designate other struts lying in the plane of this face and intersecting in a, manpart of the framework which is comprised be- .ner similar to the other struts as hereinbefore described.

It will. be notedlfrom an inspection of Figs. 2and 3, that the upper portions of the I diverging edge members form parts of overas S en in Figs. i and a it will be plain that there are provided other horizontal tierods 41, 42 and 43, in any suitablenumber, extendingin parallelism with the'upper tierod 30, and connected between points on the edge members 25 and 27, at which points the ends of the struts39 and 40 join thereto.

Figs. 2 and 3 show similar tie-rods 44, 45 and 46, connected between the rear edge members 26 and 27 and connected thereto at pointswhere the ends of the struts 37 and 38 join therewith. In Fig. 3 alone are shown the tie-rods. 47, 48 and 49, they being connected between points on the forward edge members'24 and 25, where the struts'35 and 3.6 are attached thereto. Also, in Fig. 3, may be seen the tie-rods 50, 51 and 52 which connect between the front edge member 24 and the struts lying in these faces are attached, 4

but which struts are not shown in thedrawings. V

The various tie-rods above described combine to formhorizontal frames which pass through the body of the tetrahedralframework, and which brace the same and impart strength and rigidity thereto. For instance,

the tie-rods 41., 47 50 and 44 formone of such horizontal frames. A second horizontal frame is formed by the tie-rods 42, 48, 51 and 45. Athird such frame, inthe right lateral tetrahedrahportion 0f the frame work, is composed of the tie-rods 43, 49, 52 and 46.

Now, referringfor clearness. to the diagrammaticshowing in Fig. 4, I also prefen ably provide a series of tie-rods or wires 53, lying in the several horizontal frames just referred to andpassing through the body of the tetrahedral 'frameworlgf such rods or wires 53 being connected'between parts of such horizontal frames; for instance, the horizontal tie-rods. 44 and 47, as gshownin Fig. '4. These rods or wires 53 preferably extend iniparallelism, and arej 0.1ned to such tie-rods 44-an'd47 atpoints therein. where the struts intersect. The struts 37 and 38, at their intersections withthe rods 44 and 53,. may be connected to such rods in order to form. a well bound andstrongconstruction.

The right hand lateral part of the frame-. work has beenabove described, and as the central and opposite portions of such frame work are similar with respect to the tie rods, horizontal frames and l wires unnecessary to repeat the d such parts.

escription for it is thought morn;

V efl'i havingr. thex rudden 61 and elevators- 62.

This steering? tail is composedof a lower member. '63, w'hicheis a .projection'of the lower edge: member *1 of the central part of the framework, the" upper central member 6a andlatera'l members 65,. 66', and 67, 68; dispo'sedg-to opposite sides of. the members 63- and 64; these members being projections of the tie rods which form parts of the horizontal frames of the central -tetrahedralf framework.- Similar "diagonal and intersecting braces 69 and 70fareconnected' betweenv the severalparts of the steering tail,

The. aeroplane framework is provided with suitable sustaining planes, there beingfour' such-in the present drawings, whichplanes are camb'ered and mounted in the framework instepped relation. The top plane 71 extendsacross theme-chine between thetie r'ods29 and 30. The second plane 7 2 is set slightly to the rear with respect to the planel'l' a bove,and is shorter" in length, as required by the tetrahedral shape given the framework. In a like manner the" third plane 73 isset a similar distance'tothe rear of thesecond plane 7 2, and is stillshorter. T he fourth-plane 74 is at the lower rear part of the frameworkto the rear ofthe plane 7 3 immediately above it, and of the shortest length.

Each of the tetrahedral portions of the frameworkmay be provided with complete power plan- 1e75, 7 6 and; 77:, with individual propellers 78, 79 -and.'80, and each-portion of the framework is furnished with its individual float.8-1-, 82 and 83, respectively, together with the ground wheels 84, 85 and 86. The central steering tail? is also" furnished withra float 87. In a' similar way each" part of "the framework may be made to receive platforms, gun mounts, fuselage, etc., as required: for thercharacter of the work which the machine is to be used.

If desired, a forward sustaining plane 88 may'ailsobe" employed, and which is preferablyat substantially the same elevation as the-lower rear plane 74, and being of substantially the same length.

It will be noted that any one of the three tetrahedral portions of the framework shown combined in the present drawings, may be separated out and provide by itself an independent flying machine with all necessary parts.

It will also be apparent that a flying machine may be built up of a greater number of tetrahedral parts than the three shown in the drawings, and they may be overlapped in various modifications without departing nation, each of the parts of which is subject ed-toa minimumistrain and for this reason thesepa-rtsi may be constructed: of material which is now the practice to reject as being unfit for aeroplane construction, and inthis way that cautious selection which aeroplane construction now demands respects its materials, is entirely eliminated in my present invention,

The words tetrahedron and tetrahedral figure in the claims are intended to mean" either the complete geometrical figure, or merely sections or truncated figures.

It is obvious that those-skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and arrangements of parts without departing from thefspirit of my invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to such features ex cept as may be required by the claims.

I claim;

1. In a-flying machine, the combination of a framework built to resemble a tetrahedron, a-series of curved sustaining planes mounted in stepped relation at the rear part. of said framework, propelling means mounted in the forward part of said framework, a

steering tail forming a projection of the lower part of said framework, and steering shape of a tetrahedron, the top prism of the tetrahedral framework being removed, a sustaining plane mounted at the top of the framework substantially at the base of the removed prism, other sustaining planes mounted. in the framework below the firstm'entioned plane, propelling means mounted in the framework, a steering tail extending from the framework, and steering mechanisni carried by such tail, substantially as described.

4. A flying machine composed of a framework built up in the form of a tetrahedral figure resting on one of the edges, the top prism extending at right angles to the lower edge being removed, a long sustaining plane mounted in the top of the framework at substantially the base of the removed prism, other progressively shorter sustaining planes mounted at various elevations in the framework below the first-mentioned plane, means carried by the framework whereby the machine may be propelled, a steering tail extending from said framework, steering means carried by said tail, and launching and landing devices carried by said frame- 'work and tail, substantially as described.

ing planes of successively decreasing lengths mounted in stepped relation from the central top part of the framework downwardly toward the rear thereof, a sustaining plane also at the forward lower part of said framework, ground wheels at the lower edge of the framework, propelling mechanism dis-. posed substantially centrally in the framework, and'steering means connected to said framework. 7

6. A flying machine comprising a framework consisting of members assembled -to form a lurality of tetrahadral figures, ad-

7 j acent sides of the figures being overlapped,

an edge of each figure extending lowermost and in the direction of travel, launching and landing devices carried at the lowermost edges of each of the tetrahedral figures comprising the framework, propelling means mounted in the framework, sustaining planes mounted in the framework, and steering means connected to the framework, substantially as described. V

7. A flying machine consisting of a framework composed of members combined to form several associated tetrahedral figures withedges of each extending lowermost and in the direction of travel, parts of the sides of the figures being in common, the top prisms of the figures being removed, launching and landing devices carried by the lower edges of the figures, propelling means carried by each figure, a long sustaining plane extending across all of the figures at the top of the framework, other sustaining planes of lesser length also extending across all of the figures, a steering tail extending from the central figure, and steering means carried by such tail, substantially as described.

- 8. In a flying machine, the combination of a framework composed of edge members mounted to form a substantiallytetrahedral figure, diagonal intersectin struts lying in the faces of the framewori and connected 9. In a fiying machine, the combination 1,

of a framework composedof edge members united to form a multiple-tetrahedralframe-' work, diagonal. intersecting struts lying in the faces of the framework and connected:

between said edge members, horizontally extending tie-rods passing through the intersections of the struts and connected'to said edge members, said tie-rods forming substantially rectangular. frames withinsaid' 1 tetrahedral framework, other tie-rods icon; nectedbetween said first-named tie-rods, sustaining planes mounted in stepped relation in said framework, propelling means carried by each part of the framework representing -a tetrahedron, floatscarried at the lower edges of the several tetrahedral parts of said framework, ground wheels also.'car-' ried at the lower. edges of each tetrahedral portion of the framework, a steering tail being a projection of the central part of the tetrahedral framework, and steering mecha nism carried on said tail,-substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aifi my i 7 ture.

JAMES o CRITCHETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five .cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner 'of Patents,"

' I Washington, D. G. I 

